Question

ecology quiz #2
number correct 8 number incorrect 0
if you could collect all of the organisms at each trophic level
represented in the ocean food chain below and weigh them, which
trophic level would weigh the least and have the fewest organisms?
remember, you will be weighing all of the sharks, all of the fish, and all
of the algae...
a. the primary producers (the algae)
b. the secondary consumers (the red fishes)
c. the primary consumers (the green fishes)
d. the tertiary consumers (sharks)
click to choose your answer below:
a b c d

Explanation:

In a food chain, energy and biomass decrease as we move up trophic levels. Tertiary consumers (sharks) are at the highest trophic level here. Fewer organisms exist at higher trophic levels due to energy loss (about 90% energy is lost at each trophic level transfer, as per the 10% rule in ecology). So, they would have the least total weight (biomass) compared to lower - level consumers and producers.

Answer:

D. The tertiary consumers (sharks)